Ampule syringe, particularly for veterinary use



1962 P. CH. BRUCHHAUS 3,051,172

AMPULE SYRINGE, PARTICULARLY FOR VETERINARY USE Filed Jan. 28, 1960 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 AMPULE SYRINGE, PARTICULARLY FOR VETERINARY USE Filed Jan. 28, 1960 Aug. 28, 1962 P. CH. BRUCHHAUS I 6 SheetS -Sheet 2 INVENTOP P/W X. C/yf 5/?(66764! Au 28, 1962 P. CH. BRUCHHAUS 3,051,172

AMPULE SYRINGE, PARTICULARLY FOR VETERINARY USE Filed Jan. 28, 1960 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Aug. 28, 1962 P. CH. BRUCHHAUS 3,

AMPULE SYRINGE, PARTICULARLY FOR VETERINARY USE Filed Jan. 28, 1960 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 1962 P. CH. BRUCHHAUS 3,051,172

AMPULE SYRINGE, PARTICULARLY FOR VETERINARY USE Filed Jan. 28, 1960 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOE PAW! a. way/m 1962 P. CH. BRUCHHAUS 3,951,172

AMPULE SYRINGE, PARTICULARLY FOR VETERINARY USE Filed Jan. 28, 1960 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 IIIIIIi-IIIIIIIIR III I FIG. 8

S. III? 3,@l,l72 Patented Aug. 28, F362 3,051,172 AMPULE SGE, PARTICULARLY FOR VETERHQARY USE Paul Ch. Brnchhaus, Solingen-Grafrath, Germany, assignor to H. Hauptner, Solingen, Germany Filed Jan. 28, 1960, er. No. 5,170 6 Claims. (Cl. 128-218) This invention is concerned with an ampule syringe, and more particularry relates to such a type of syringe which is intended for veterinary use and which has at its front end a locking cap and a plunger with plunger rod at its rear end.

With ampule syringes it is the normal practice that the cylindrical ampule is inserted into the ampule housing of the syringe and so moved with respect to a discharge pin arranged at one end of the syringe assembly that this discharge pin pierces through the channel type stopper forming the closure of the cylindrical ampule. A definite quantity of the contents or" the ampule as may be desired in each particular case is then injected by moving a plug which forms the bottom of the ampule.

With the well known syringes of this type, inserting the ampule is normally made possible in that an ampule housing is provided which can be moved with respect to the rest of the syringe housing, and which may either be hinged or may be so designed that it can be inserted separately into the syringe housing. Syringes are also well known in the art which comprise a front locking cap for the syringe housing that can be removed by screwing oil or by releasing a bayonet catch.

It has been found particularly disadvantageous with the Well known types of ampule syringes that these are always adapted to a particular size and form of ampule, so that up to now it has been necessary to have a separate syringe ready for use for each ampule size.

An ampule syringe has already been suggested which permits the use of ampules of different volumetric capacity and which have all the same length but may have difierent diameters. This ampule type syringe can only 'be used when provided with a set of holders, each of these holders beingadapted to one particular ampule diameter.

The present invention therefore has for its primary object to provide for the first time an ampule syringe which accommodates ampules of different length as may be desired. A particularly advantageous feature of this novel syringe is, in addition, that ampules of difierent length can be quickly and easily introduced in longitudinal direction of the syringe housing by a simple manipulation and that it becomes unnecessary to provide a special ampule housing which is arranged movably with respect to the rest of the syringe housing.

This object is accomplished in accordance with the invention thereby that either the locking cap arranged at the front end of the syringe can be tilted or swung away or the plunger being under the tension of a spring can be swung out of the housing in lateral direction. This locking cap may be attached to a lever, which is mounted on a fulcrum provided on the housing, and may preferably be held in place during its locking position by means of a holding spring.

In accordance with the invention there is provided a syringe construction which includes a housing for an ampule'which has an end wall which is displaceable, such as by compression, for the discharge of fluid through a hollow needle which is provided within the ampule housing of the syringe. The invention includes a substantially U-shaped plunger rod member having a plunger rod portion which is adapted to move against the displaceable end wall of the ampule for discharging fluid through the needle. The invention provides means for mounting a guide rod portion of the plunger on the outside of the housing for displacement longitudinally in respect to the housing and for rotation in the guide means. The plunger rod may be moved to a position at which the plunger portion may be completely retracted from the housing to permit charging of the housing with an ampule as desired. After the ampule is inserted the plunger is positioned back in the housing and means are provided for incrementally advancing the plunger rod portion to discharge the fluid from the ampule. These advancing means include, in one embodiment, teeth defined on the guide rod portion of the plunger rod which are engageable by a pawl aflixed to a pivotal hand operated lever arm. By fieXing the lever arm with the hand it is possible to incrementally advance the guide rod portion and the plunger to discharge a predetermined amount of fluid from the ampule.

A feature of the invention is that the guide rod portion is mounted so that the complete plunger is biased into a direction urging the plunger against the ampule in which case the hand operated lever arm is provided with a ratchet for pushing the guide rod portion of the plunger in a direction for discharge of the fluid from the ampule. In another embodiment the hand operated lever is provided with a ratchet which engages end teeth formed on the guide rod portion of the plunger to pull the plunger rod in a direction to cause dispensing of the fluid from the ampule.

In order to prevent any unintentional pushing back of the plunger rod caused by a counterpressure of the ampule plug, a spring engaging the toothing of the plunger rod may be provided on the guide sleeve of the plunger rod.

Most of the improved features of the present syringe are included in the objects and description enumerated above but many other advantages will no doubt appear to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description and drawings illustrating several preferred embodiments of the device.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 shows in schematic representation an ampule syringe conceived and constructed according to the present invention with ampule housing open at its end facing the plunger in partial longitudinal section;

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the ampule syringe shown in FIG. 1 with the plunger swung outwards;

FIG. 3 shows the ampule syringe according to FIG. 1 in rear view with the plunger swung in operating position;

FIG. 4 illustrates a modified embodiment of the ampule syrings in partly longitudinal section;

FIG. 4a is a detail of the syringe of FIG. 4 on an enlarged scale;

FIG. 5 is an ampule syringe according to the invention open at the plunger end and with a modified actuation mechanism shown in partial sectional view;

FIG. 5a is a detail of the syringe of FIG. 5 on an enlarged scale;

FIG. 6 shows an ampule syringe according to the invention with the ampule housing open at the hypodermic-needle end in partial sectional view;

FIG. 7 is a schematic representation of the ampule syringe according to FIG. 6 but with locking cap opened;

FIG. 7a is a developed view of a portion of FIG. 7, and

FIG. 8 illustrates in partly longitudinal section an ampule syringe with ampule housing open at the hypodermic-needle end and with a modified form of the actuation mechanism.

In the embodiments of the invention selected for illustration in the drawings the ampule syringe is shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 as consisting of an ampule housing 1 i which is closed at the hypodermic-needle end by means of a front plate 2 and which is open at its other end. A hypodermic-needle connecting piece 3 is inserted into the front plate 2, the hollow discharge pin 4 of the connecting piece projecting into the inner space of the ampule housing 1. An ampule 5 containing the injection liquid is inserted into the ampule housing 1, the channel stopper 6 of said ampule 5 being so pierced through by the discharge pin '4 that the opening of the discharge pin 4 comes into contact with the injection liquid. The bottom of the ampule 5 is formed by a plug 7 which has the shape and nature of a plunger and can be moved in longitudinal direction of the ampule, thus allowing the injection liquid to pass through the hollow discharge pin 4, the connecting piece 3 and the hypodermic needle 8, which is exchangeably attached to said connecting piece. The plug 7 is moved by means of a plunger 9 which is mounted on the one leg 19 of a preferably hairpin shaped plunger rod 11. The other leg 12. of the hairpin shaped plunger rod is provided with a toothing 13 which may be provided in a manner well known per se and as shown by way of example in FIG. 1 around the leg 12. The leg 12 of the plunger rod 11, which is provided with said toothing 13, is mounted movably in longitudinal direction and rotatably in a guide sleeve 14, which is arranged along a generatrix of the ampule housing and corresponds in length approximately to that of the ampule housing.

The particular arrangement of parts as described above offers the advantage that the mechanical parts necessary for the plunger advance motion and for the adjustment are not within the reach of the liquid contained in the ampule.

The guide sleeve 14 has, in the region of the bent portion of the plunger rod 11, a longitudinal recess 1% within which the bent portion of the plunger rod 11 is guided during the forward movement of the plunger rod 11. Opposite the recess 14a there is provided a longitudinal cutout or recess 1a in the ampule casing which cutout also permits the forward movement of the bent portion of the plunger rod 11.

A tension spring 15 is provided for the return movement of the plunger and which is attached with its one end at a point of the plunger rod which lies in proximity of the bend of said rod, the other end of the spring being attached to the ampule housing 1. For sake of security, the tension spring 15 may be covered by means of a sleeve 16. A projection 17 extending substantially vertically with respect to the longitudinal axis of the ampule housing 1 is mounted on said housing and carries a bearing 18 for the tong arm 19 that can be swung with respect to the ampule housing 1. At that point of the tong arm 19, which is next to the ampule housing 1, is fulcrumed the pawl 20 which is forced into contact with the toothing 13 of the leg 12 by means of the spring 21. The rear end of the pawl 20 engages the locking pin 22 which is affixed to the inner end of the guide sleeve 14. The locking pin 22 limits the angular movement of the tong arm 19 in one direction. The length of the angular movement of the tong arm 19 in the other direction can be adjusted by means of a saw-tooth shaped, preferably semi-circular locking element 23. The locking element 23 is eccentrically rotatable about the fulcrum 24, so that the locking pin 25 cooperating with said locking element 23 and rigidly mounted on the tong arm 19 may engage a definite tooth gap in accordance with the adjustment made. The fulcrum is passed through the projection 17 towards the outside, as shown in FIG. 4a, and provided with a lever 26 which can be moved across a dial indicated by the FIGURES 1 to 5 and adjusted to the individual positions. The tong arm 19 is constantly kept in the position ready for operation as shown in FIG. 1,

and which is effected by means of a compression spring 27 supported by the projection 17. A handle 28 provided for handling the plunger 9 is arranged in proximity of the bend of the plunger rod -11. If now it is intended to insert an ampule into the syringe, the size of which may vary within the limits defined by the size of the syringe,

the plunger 9 is pulled out of the rear portion of the syringe by means of the handle 28 and swung outwards through a recess 1a provided in the ampule housing 1. The ampule is now inserted into the ampule housing through its opening provided by this manipulation at the rear portion of the device. The plunger 9 is then pulled back against the action of the spring 15, swung into the position shown in FIG. 3 and allowed to come in contact with the plug 7 of the ampule 5. The leg 12 of the plunger rod 11 is so sized that-with the ampule having the greatest length permissible-the outermost tooth gap of the toothing 13 is just permitted to be engaged by the pawl 21 when during operating of the ampule syringe the tong arm 19 is forced against the ampule housing 1 forming the other tong arm. In order to permit the pawl 20 to engage the toothing 13 the guide sleeve "14 is partly recessed at its front end. In order to ensure a safe handling of the ampule syringe according to the invention, an abutment piece 29 has been provided on the ampule housing 1.

Referring now to FIG. 4 which illustrates a form of construction of an ampule syringe according to the invention which is similar to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 and in which the pawl (numeral 20 in FIG. 1) designed as a press or push pawl is replaced by the pull pawl 30. This is an especially advantageous design since the stroke length of the plunger 9 is extended by the distance that would exist between that part of the push pawl 21 and the respective part of the pull pawl 30 which is in engagement with the toot-hing 13. As can be seen in FIG. 4, the syringe equipped with the pull pawl 31} having otherwise the same dimensions as the ampule syringe according to FIGS. 1 to 3 but accommodates ampules of almost double the length. As will be seen from the drawings, the structural set-up of the ampule syringe shown in FIG. 4 is substantially the same as that of the ampule syringe shown in FIGS. 1 to 3. There is merely one constructional difference which consists therein that forcing the pull pawl 30 in contact with the toothing 13 is efiected by means of a leaf spring. It is, of course, understood that it is also possible with the ampule syringe shown in FIG. 4 to use ampules of shorter length than that which is shown in the drawing. An ampule of shorter length is indicated by dash-dotted lines and the plug belonging thereto is shown by dashed lines.

A further modified embodiment representing an ampule syringe according to the invention is illustrated in FIG. 5. The essential difference between this and the foregoing embodiments consists therein that two actuating levers 32, 33 are provided the longitudinal axes of which are arranged substantially in vertical direction with respect to the ampule housing 1. Actuating levers of this type and their arrangement as shown are well known per se with syringes. With ampule syringes for ampules of various lengths, and which can be inserted into the same syringe in longitudinal direction of the ampule housing, such an arrangement is particularly favorable since an especially simple structural setup can be realized thereby. The mechanical connection of the body of the syringe with the actuation device is effected by means of a bracket 34 which may be attached to the ampule housing 1 or to the guide sleeve 14, which latter is provided for the plunger rod 11, for instance, by means of screws 35. A further difierence in design between the embodiment according to FIG. 5 and the foregoing embodiments of the invention is the modified adjusting mechanism provided for the adjustment of the plunger stroke. Such an adjusting mechanism is well known per se with syringes with stepwise movable plunger rods. It consists of a locking sleeve 36, which is movable in longitudinal direction on the guide sleeve 14 and which has two slots 37, 3 8 provided on its circumference and arranged in longitudinal direction, preferably opposite to each other. Slot 38 permits in conjunction with another slot provided in the guide sleeve 14 the passage of the pawl 20, which in this case is designed as a press or push pawl. The front edge 39 of the slot 38 lying in the direction of the discharge movement serves as a stop for the pawl 20 and thus limits the stroke of the plunger. The beveled front edge 40 of the slot 38, which is opposite to the front edge 39, lifts the pawl 20 out of the toothing -13 of the leg 12 of the plunger rod 11 after the return stroke is completed. In order to vary the plunger stroke, the locking sleeve 36 is provided with a locking projection 41 arranged on its inner circumference and which engages the toothing 42 on the outer circumference of the guide sleeve 14. The distance of the pawl 20 from the front end 39 and thus the stroke of the pawl 20 and consequently also that of the plunger 9 can be varied by the interaction of the locking projection 41 with the individual gaps of the toothing 42. An indicating pin 43 is provided which indicates in conjunction with appropriate marks printed on the outer circumference of the locking sleeve 36 the amount of the plunger stroke or the quantity of liquid discharged, respectively. In order to prevent any unintentional lifting of the locking projection 41 out of the toothing 42, a spring loaded pressure pin 60 is arranged opposite to this, the pressure pin 60 being supported by the guide sleeve 14 and pulling the locking projection 41 into the toothing 42 as can be seen from the partial view taken in an enlarged view and shown in FIG. 5a.

Referring now to FIG. 6 which shows a modified embodiment of an ampule syringe according to the invention, which-in accordance with the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 4-has two arms which can be moved in tong-like manner against each other and one of which comprises in the direction of its longitudinal axis the ampule with the injection liquid. The diiference between this embodiment and the afore mentioned embodiments lies therein that the ampule housing 1 is open at its one end (that on which is arranged the hypodermic needle) and which end can be closed by means of a locking cap 44. The locking cap 44 is attached to a lever 46 which is rotatable about an axis 45 provided at the ampule housing 1, so that the locking cap 44 can be swung into a position permitting the insertion of the ampule (FIG. 7) or into a position in which the ampule housing is closed (FIG. 6). Inserting a new ampule into the ampule housing 1 may thus be efiected after opening the locking cap 44 which is subsequently again moved into the locking position. During this operation, the hollow discharge pin 4 of the hypodermic connecting piece 3 is forced against the channel stopper 6 of the ampule 5 and pierces through it. If now a smaller ampule than that illustrated in the sectional view in FIG. 6 shall be used, it is first of all necessary to move the ampule forward by means of the plunger 9 until the channel stopper 6 is pierced through by the hollow discharge pin 4. This can be done by pressing the ampule stopper 7 by means of the plunger 9, because the substantially incompressible injection liquid remains hermetically sealed in the ampule until the channel stopper 6 is pierced through and thereby the connection with the outer atmosphere is established.

In the locking position is the locking cap 44 held, preferably by means of a locking spring 47 which engages a recess provided on the ampule housing 1. The plunger rod 11 has a toothing 13 approximately in its center and carries on its one end the plunger 9, while the other end is provided with a knob 48. The pawl 20, which is movably connected with the shifter rod 50 by means of the fulcrum 49, engages the toothing 13. The pawl 20 is loaded by means of a compression spring 51 which is supported by the shoulder piece 17 on which the shifting rod 50 is fulcrumed. Preferably, the arrangement of parts and components is so conceived that the shoulder piece 17 forms an integral part together with the tong arm 19. The shifting rod 50 extends over the fulcrum of the pawl 20 and is supported with its rear end in a projecting portion 52 of the ampule housing 1.

FIG. 7 shows a specific illustration of the rear end of the shifting rod 50. Approximately at the end of the extended portion of the rod is provided the locking pin 25 engaging the recesses 53 of a locking element 23' shown in developed projection in FIG. 7. The locking element 23' consists of a hollow cylindrical part which is provided at its one front end with recesses 53 arranged in stepwise successive order in the direction of the axis of the cylinder. The other front end of the locking element 23 has a collar 54 the outer circumferential surface of which is subdivided into several individual surfaces which are provided in alternating succession with marks indicating the magnitude of stroke and with milled surface structure, which latter provide a better gripping of the locking element When turned for the purpose of adjustment. In order to adjust a definite stroke of the plunger, the mark indicating the desired magnitude of stroke is set to a mark provided for this purpose on the ampule housing 1. During this adjusting operation, locking pin 25 engageswith the stroke magnitude zerothe longest portion, when viewed in axial direction, of the hollow cylindrical locking element 23. The shifting rod 50 and the plunger rod 11 are thus prevented trom performing any stroke. With the adjustment positions 1 to 5, a stepwise extending path is freed for the locking pin 25, so that the shifting rod also can be moved by stepwise increasing distances, the plunger rod 11 being taken along by the shifting rod. A cap 55 is provided to protect the hollow cylindrical locking element 23 against outer influences. A leaf spring 56 ensures that the adjustment of the collar 54 to a definite magnitude of stroke cannot unintentionally change. Moreover, a spring loaded index pin 57 is provided on the ampule housing 1. This index pin engages the toothing 13 of the plunger rod 11 and thereby prevents any umntentional return movement of the plunger rod. In order that a convenient handling of the tong like ampule syringe may be ensured, a hand rest 29 is provided.

Referring now to FIG. 8 which shows an ampule syrlnge whose ampule housing 1 is open at the epidermicneedle side. This end is provided with a locking cap 44 which is fulcrumed at the ampule housing by means of a lever 46. The locking cap 44 is held in its closing position by means of the locking spring 47 which engages a recess provided on the ampule housing 1.

The actuation mechanism corresponds in its design to that which is shown in conjunction with the ampule syringe according to FIG. 5 with the exception, however, that the ampule housing 1 forms one integral part with the actuation lever 33; however, this lever 33 may also be inserted into the ampule housing and this connectlon could be established by means of a thread, for instance. The mechanism provided for the adjustment of plunger strokes of various magnitude corresponds to that which is shown in FIG. 5. Since with this embodiment, the guide sleeve 14 is arranged in axial directron with respect to the ampule 5 and the plunger rod 11, the locking sleeve 36 also, which is movable on the guide sleeve 14, has this position. In order to prevent any unintentional return movement of the plunger rod 11, a retaining spring 59 engaging the toothing 13 of the plunger rod 11 is provided at the rear end of the guide sleeve 14. In order to be able to withdraw the plunger rod for the purpose of inserting a new ampule, the plunger rod is rotated about an angle of degrees, so that the teeth of the toothing 13 are disengaged from the spring 59. After the plunger rod has been withdrawn as described, it is again moved into the position shown in the drawing.

As will readily appear, in particular, from FIGS. 4 and 5, the epidermic-needle connecting piece 3 may also be arranged eccentrically with respect to the channel stopper 6 of the ampule, so that in the event of repeated use of the same ampule, tresh points of the channel stopper not yet pierced through may be penetrated 7 by the hollow discharge pin, the ampule being rotated before each use about a small angular amount.

As many embodiments may be made of this inventive concept and as many modifications may be made in the embodiments herein shown and described, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted merely as illustrative'and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. A syringe for an ampule having an end wall portion displaceable toward a front wall portion for dispensing fluid therefrom, comprising an ampule housing having one end open for the insertion of an ampule therein and an opposite end closed by an end wall, a hypodermic needle connecting piece mounted on said end wall including a hollow discharge pin for insertion into the ampule for discharging the fluid therefrom through said hollow pin, a substantially U-shaped plunger rod having a relatively longer guiding leg portion and a relatively shorter plunger leg portion having one end rigidly interconnected to one end of said guiding leg portion, each of said leg portions adapted to be moved conjointly longitudinally relatively to said ampule housing, said plunger -leg portion disengageably protruding into said housing to engage and to displace the displaceable wall portion of the ampule in said housing to discharge fluid through said hollow needle, guide means on the exterior of said ampule housing in continuous guiding engagement with the guide leg portion of said plunger rod for movement backwardly and forwardly longitudinally in respect to said housing and providing for rotation of said plunger within said guide means, said plunger rod being displaceable along said guide in an amount suflicient to permit disengagement of said plunger leg portion from said ampule housing while said guiding leg portion remains engaged in said guide means, said plunger being rotatable about its guiding leg portion, when its plunger leg portion is disengaged from said housing, to dispose said plunger leg portion alongside said housing, and hand operated means mounted on said housing for displacing said plunger rod longitudinally in respect to said housing.

2. A syringe according to claim 1, wherein said plunger rod guide leg portion is provided with teeth, said hand operated means for advancing said plunger rod including a pawl engageable with said teeth for displacing said plunger rod.

3. A syringe according to claim 2, wherein said pawl is mounted for operation to displace said plunger rod portion in a direction to displace the ampule displaceable end wall by a pushing movement thereof.

4. Asyringe according to claim 1, wherein said means for displacing said plunger rod includes a hand lever pivotally mounted on said housing, and ratchet and teeth means connected to'said hand lever and said guide leg portion of said plunger rod.

5. A syringe according to claim 4, wherein said ratchet and teeth means include a ratchet member pivot-ally connected to said lever arm and having a forward portion disposed to push against teeth defined on said plunger rod guide leg portion.

6. A syringe according to claim 4, wherein said ratchet and teeth means include a ratchet member pivotally connected to said hand lever, said plunger rod guide leg portion having teeth, said ratchet having a portion engageable with said teeth to pull said plunger rod forward upon pivotal movement of said lever.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

